The Church Courier

Vol. 9, Issue 9 September 2008

Mexico Mission Trip Celebrate Labor Day

What a tremendous opportu-
Labor Day, first celebrated
nity our youth had this sum-
in 1882, provides a day of
mer. An opportunity to visit
rest for working Americans,
another country but showing their importance to
also help God’s the country’s well-being.
work by
helping to Christians see work as a gift
build a and command from God.
church. They Adam was put in the Garden
were asked to “till it and keep
about what it” (Genesis 2:15, NRSV).
they enjoyed Even Jesus chose workers to
the most during the help carry out his mission.
mission trip? What
impressed them the Rest is just as significant as
most and ... work. God commanded us to
rest one day each week
Continue on page 3 (Exodus 20:10). The Sabbath
is a time for worship, dedi-
cation to God, renewal and
recuperation.

In This Issue: Labor Day is a

Pixie Pin-Ups…………5
Invitation……………...7
Praise……...……..........9
Church @ Work……..10
reminder to be
grateful for the
creativity, ingenu-
ity, minds and mus-
cle power of countless work-
ers — all gifts of God. That’s
worth setting aside a day to
appreciate.
 Two friends operated a service
station in central California. The
two men were Sabbath-keepers, buy since
the oil company they actually worked for insisted the station be
kept open seven days a week, they hired another man to operate
their business on Saturdays. But business started falling off. It
was then that a regional company official came to investigate
the problem. He told the two friends that they really weren’t
loyal Sabbath-keepers, because if they were they would have
closed the station on Saturdays!! Wow, what a tongue-lashing
from someone who wasn’t even a Sabbath-keeper! So, after a
few more thoughts, he took away their franchise! Two new
manages were brought in to take over the service station—and,
you guessed it—they were Sabbath-keepers also! But with one
difference—they closed the station on the Sabbath hours, and
the business prospered! In fact, it prospered so well that the
regional manager called on them to say their sales were the
highest sales ever for that service station!

What about us, brothers and sisters? Are we as faithful in our

Sabbath-keeping? Do we guard the “edges” of the Sabbath, that
is, Friday evenings and late Sabbath afternoons? What has our
attention on the Sabbath—the whole twenty-four hours? Are
we laying aside the newspapers, the secular magazines, the
secular music, the TV? Do we frequent restaurants on the Sab-
bath when we could easily eat at home with our families? (If
we wouldn’t buy our groceries at a grocery store, then why
would we buy “prepared” groceries at a restaurant?) And just
like the two friends in our story, would others looking on ques-
tion us on our Sabbath-keeping if we say we’re honoring God’s
Sabbath while doing other things? There’s much for all of us
to think about, and even make some changes about! Please read
Isaiah 58:13, 14.

Yours for honoring God by honoring His Sabbath, Pastor and

Sharon Webb.
Page 2 The Church Courier
 Mexico Mission Trip
cont. from page 1

...what would they change with two words their experience and
about the mission trip? Here are here are some of the answers.
some of their answers…
Lynn Hecht: “Fan-tastic and
Timothy Gosser: “What impressed great.”
me the most was that everybody
worked very hard until they had no Lean Hecht: “Awesome and spiri-
more left in them. From the young- tual.”
est, Liam to the oldest, Mr. Schiefer
hehehe”  Jake
Hecht:
Jacob Cripe: “Absolutely
“What I en- amazing.”
joyed the
most was Pablo
meeting new Montanez:
people. What “Out-
I would standing
change?….A and won-
b i g g e r derful.”
plane.”
Liz Monta-
Terry nez: “Eye
Creamer: opening”
“What impressed me the most was
the ability for such a large group to Christie Rodriguez: “Love and
learn to work together so fast.” friendship.”

Gabriella Menendez: “I really Aldyth Marshall: “Very reward-

enjoyed this great experience. What
impressed me the most was that
when we were done building the
church, people came so grateful and
they thanked us, with food and kind-
ness.”
Daniel Hecht: “I enjoyed the group
devotionals. What impressed me the
most was how simple the people
lived.”
We also asked the adults to describe
ing.”
Martha Getlinger: “Wild and won-
derful”
Thanks for supporting our youth and
the mission trips of our church!
Now you can see pictures of all our
activities on your Church web
page:
www.nprsda.org/photogallery

Vol. 9, Issue 9 Page 3

 Mexico Trip
This Summer I went to Cancun,
Mexico for a mission trip. It
was a lot of fun I met a lot
of new people. We worked so
hard one day we even
By David Hecht
worked in the rain while we
were digging and mix-
ing cement. We painted one church and laid a cement
floor and ceiling in another one. We even had time to
have fun. We went to X-caret, its like Sea World, went
to a flea market, Mayan ruins and a snorkeling trip.
I really enjoyed spending time with my new friends. But
most of all I am glad I was able to help the churches.

Youth Events

 September 5,6 & 7 Pathfinder Camp In.

 September 13 7:30pm Youth 13 and up Game Night

in the Church Fellowship Hall.

 September 27 West Area Youth Rally 10am to 3pm

Community Plunge 8th grade to Young Adult New Port
Richey SDA Church.

Page 4 The Church Courier

 PIXIE PIN-UPS
DO YOU KNOW ME?

If you think you know this church mem-

ber, submit your guess to us, either by
phone or email.

First 3 correct responses will receive a

prize!

You can submit your baby pix by email or

directly to us. Photos can be black and His first baby food was Sau-
white or color and will be promptly re- erkraut. He also enjoys
turned. For more information please con- riding his motorcycle. 
tact us.
August baby was: Alan Hecht
(Clue: His favorite hymn could be “Crown Him with many crowns.”
(Alan is a dentist)
Our winners were: Caroline Schryer and Martha Getlinger

Think about it…

 A genuine Christian is the

best evidence of the genu-
ineness of Christianity.

 More time in God’s house

will bring better times in our
house.

 Whatever your past has

been, you have a spotless
future.

 For a healthy heart, exer-

cise your faith.

Vol. 9, Issue 9 Page 5

 School Fundraiser
Please remember our School fundraisers. Clip Box
Tops from your favorite products. Look for the 10¢
Box Tops on brands like Ziploc®, Kleenex® and HUGGIES®, too!

Visit: www.boxtops4education.com for more info or contact Leann Hecht.

Page 6 The Church Courier

A wonderful opportunity has arrived, 3ABN will be presenting a live
evangelism series for kids ages 8-12. I’m opening my home to par-
ents and kids that want to participate in this evangelism series. So
join us and Pastor Doug Batchelor in this Amazing Adventure.

Space is limited, so if you are interested please contact me soon.

Omayra & Juan Rivera (727) 372-0052 or
omayraortiz@hotmail.com

Congratulations
Dodgers!
After weeks of fun and
excitement the Softball
season has come to an
end. Congratulations to
all the teams, especially
The Dodgers Not in this order: Capitan: Christie to the blue team - The
Rodriguez, Co-Capitan: Lynn Hecht, Adiel Paulin, Al Dodgers, for winning this
Cruz, Bernie Koch, Bobby Walker, Brock Wildey, season.
Cody Wildey, Daniel Litardo, John Stoehrer, Kassidy
Neptune, Katie Koch, Omayra Rivera, Richard Nep- If you didn’t have a
tune, Robert Walker, Tim Gosser. Not all players
chance to see them in
pictured.
action, go to
www.nprsda.org/softball and see the photo album.

Thanks to all who made this season another successful one! See you at the
field next summer!

Vol. 9, Issue 9 Page 7

September is the National Hispanic Heritage
Month. Here is a good recipe to get you in the
mood of celebration. 

Pastelon of Ripe Plantain

Easy recipe . . . The plantains are already

cooked, all you have to do is smash them down
a bit and put in the pie. Use ready made sofrito National Grandparents Day
and you are done..... September 7th

1 box (Goya ripe sliced plantains) My Church

1 bag of ground veggie meat
¼ cup ready made Sofrito
2 tbs. vegetable oil
½ can tomato sauce
1 tbs. sliced olives and peppers
1 tsp. capers
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. black pepper
½ cup shredded cheese
2 eggs, slightly beaten with 1 tsp. water
In a skillet heat up the oil, add the veggie meat
and cook for about 4 minutes, then add the
tomato sauce and cook another 5 minutes or so
breaking down the meat. Add the olives with
peppers and the capers, and the salt and black
paper. Stir and set aside.
Heat up the plantains in the microwave until
hot. Then mash them down slightly using a
fork. Layer the bottom of a 9-inch pie plate
with slices of plantain (these come already
cooked) - about half the box. Layer half the
meat over that, then more plantains and then
meat. Sprinkle cheese over the last layer. Pour
the egg and water mixture as evenly as you can
over the cheese.
Cook at 400 degrees for about 15 minutes until
egg is cooked and cheese is melted. Serve
warm. This is a delicious side dish with rice or
a great lunch with a salad. Sabroso!
My church is composed of
people like me.
We make it
what it is. It
will be
friendly, if I
am. Its pews
will be filled,
if I help fill
them. It will do great work, if I
work. It will make generous
gifts to many causes, if I am a
generous giver. It will bring
other people into its worship
and fellowship, if I bring
them.
My church will be a church of
loyalty and love, of fearless-
ness and faith, and a church
with a noble spirit, if I, who
make it what it is, am filled
with those things.
Therefore, with the help of
God, I shall dedicate myself to
the task of being all the
things that I want my church
to be!

Page 8 The Church Courier

 In this section you will see interesting facts
and figures. Got some? Send it to us.

ife
ge housew
The avera es a You need to use 200 muscles
a lk s a r o und 10 mil in your body to walk.
w e
d the hous
day aroun rk.
wo
doing her
Butterflie
s
with the taste
The best way of getting rid ir feet
of water retention is to drink
a lot of water.

After months Philippians

of preparation 4:13 --- I
a Randi Od- can do all
ierno idea t h i n g s
came to real- through
ity. A Bible Christ who
Study Group strengthens
for outsiders. me.
With many
prayers and The road to success is not
great expectations we started our straight. There is a curve called
monthly meetings Thursday, Failure, a loop called Confusion,
August 7th @ 7:00 PM. Our speed bumps called Friends, red
first study was The Bible and the lights called Enemies, caution
teacher was Gary Grimes. lights called Family. You will
have flats called Jobs. But, if you
Our second meeting will be have a spare called Determina-
Thursday, September 11 @ 7:00 tion, an engine called Persever-
PM. So spread the good news in ance, insurance called Faith, a
your neighborhood and pray so driver called Jesus, you will
more people can come to this make it to a place called Suc-
wonderful study. cess. (submitted by Barbara Stricker)

Vol. 9, Issue 9 Page 9

 Mark your calendar!

Sabbath, September 20th the Quartet,

Are you READY FOR
the FUN this Fall?
Beloved, will have the Special Music
and Offertory for our church service
and then have an inspiring musical Ves-
pers program for us starting at 6:30 PM
that evening. Join us!

CHURCH FAMILY CRUISE

Bowling Season
starting soon! If you have an interest in going on a cruise
with other members of the NPR SDA
Church Family, please fill out and turn in
the “Cruise Survey” or call Martha for more
information. Fun, fun, fun!

Music and the riddles of life

The author of the 49th psalm devel-

oped a wise practice as he contem-
plated the problems he faced. 'I will
solve my riddle to the music of the
harp' (Psalm 49:4 ), he wrote. He found encourage-
ment to meet life's difficulties by getting involved with music.

Good music does indeed help our mind and spirit. Good music
imparts inspiration and grace to the fretful spirit.

Think about this: if music is so beneficial for the human spirit,

shouldn't those of us who are musically talented use our voice or
musical instrument to aid others in worshiping God? This is a
challenge to you who have been given the gift of a good voice,
come and...

...Join our Choir’s new season!

Staring Saturday, September 6th @ 4:00 PM

Page 10 The Church Courier

 This past month while looking for quotes
for the section Think about it (page 5) I
found one quote that caught my attention, it said: “Whatever your past
has been, you have a spotless future.”

Satan likes to use our past record against us, sometimes he succeeds in
making us feel inadequate and ashamed, and when we feel like that we
don’t want to be productive and active in God’s work. But if we remem-
ber God’s Word, He has told us that the devil was a murder from the be-
ginning, not holding to the truth, for there is not truth in him. Please read
John 8:44.

While thinking on that, I went and started hearing my new music for the
Choir. What beautiful music!, and started reflecting on the lyric’s of one
of the hymns that said: “I once was lost in sin but Jesus took me in and
then a little light from heaven filled my soul. It bathed my heart in love
and wrote my name above and just a little talk with Jesus made me
whole.”

How beautiful, just confess your sins and believe. Please remember that
you are not defined by anything that happened to you or anything you’ve
done. You are defined by who you are in Christ. And remember also that
Jesus loves you so and He died for you! 
Omayra Rivera

This newsletter is published monthly by the NPR SDA Church. If you

have any comments to make about the newsletter, wish to make a
donation, or wish to submit an article, please send it to the church
or to us.
Contact Us
Alexander Ortiz Omayra Rivera
727-365-2892 727-372-0052

nprcourier07@gmail.com

NPR Seventh-day Adventist Church

6424 Trouble Creek Road
New Port Richey, FL 34653
727-848-4567
Visit us on the web: www.nprsda.org/newsletter
Vol. 9, Issue 9 Page 11
 New Port Richey
Seventh–day Adventist Church
6424 Trouble Creek Road
New Port Richey, FL 34653